5 Cosmetic Giants Combating COVID-19

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The likes of Estée Lauder and other big names in our industry are donating to communities across the globe affected by COVID-19, while others such as Johnson & Johnson and Unilever are transitioning to products to help fight the virus.

Related: LVMH & Firmenich to Manufacture Hand Sanitizer

L’Oréal

Commitments made in addition to L’Oréal’s Europe-wide Coronavirus Solidarity Program include a donation of $250,000 to Feeding America, and a dollar-for-dollar match of additional employee donations. The company has also pledged $720,000 to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation for medical supplies, including masks and protective clothing. In Europe, L’Oréal donated €1 million to non-profit organizations.

L’Oréal’s North American manufacturing facilities are also beginning the production of alcohol-based hand sanitizers free of charge to U.S. employees, partners and healthcare professionals working on the front lines of this emergency.

The Estée Lauder Companies

With the hand sanitizer shortage, The Estée Lauder Companies announced it will help to produce more sanitizers by using its Melville, New York, manufacturing factory to produce the desperately needed cleansing gel for the public.

Lauder also recently pledged to donate $2 million to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières as a way to support COVID-19 treatment in countries that have been severely affected or that lack health care resources. In New York City, a grant was provided to support the establishment of The NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund, administered by the New York Community Trust. The $75 million funds will provide critical support for New York City’s vital social services and cultural community organizations.

In China, the company provided more than $800,000 in relief efforts. Funds will support the Red Cross Society of China, Shanghai Charity Foundation and Give2Asia. Additionally, $1.4 million in in-kind donations were provided to the China Women's Development Foundation to support front line medical staff.

Previously: FDA Permits Compounding, Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer Production

Unilever

Unilever, the parent company to beauty brands including Dove and Love Beauty & Planet, launched its “United for America” initiative to support those in need during the pandemic. The company pledged a $20 million in products and services, including $8 million in donations of food, soap, personal hygiene and home cleaning products to Feeding America.

In addition, with a shortage of medical supplies, Unilever is donating more than 200,000 medical masks to local hospitals in New Jersey, where Unilever is headquartered.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is another big name donating and giving back to communities globally. ¥1 million renminbi has been donated to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation, and Johnson & Johnson China is contributing these funds to help purchase masks, protection suits and sanitizer for front line healthcare workers.

In addition, 48,000 bottles of Band-aid brand isopropyl alcohol have been donated to contain and prevent the further spread of the virus—along with over 1,300 packs of Acuvue brand contact lenses, donated to medical workers.

Importantly, one critical way Johnson & Johnson is working to help halt the spread of the COVID-19 is its current research toward the development of a potential vaccine for the disease. The company's experience in combating epidemics such as Ebola, along with its expertise in respiratory illnesses, makes it qualified to help aid in the fight.

Also related: How Companies Can Speed the EU Disinfectants Supply

Procter & Gamble

Finally, Procter & Gamble contributions of product and in-kind support now exceed $15 million and will continue to increase as the company works with communities around the world. P&G products are being donated from 30 brands in more than 20 countries. These donations ensure that families who do not have basic access to the everyday essentials can have the cleaning, health and hygiene benefits P&G brands can provide.

P&G has also installed new lines to start the production of hand sanitizer in five manufacturing sites around the world to ensure people continue operating safely. The company is sharing these sanitizers with hospitals, health authorities and relief organizations. It also will expand manufacturing capacity further in additional facilities in the coming weeks, to reach a capacity of at least 45,000 liters per week when fully operational, according to the company.

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Follow us as we continue to report on moves by the industry to address this unprecedented public health threat.

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